News: Fracking Map Shows Communities at Risk Across Scotland

The UK Government has today published a map of areas, including vast swathes of Scotland, that could be exploited for shale gas and coalbed methane extraction.

The maps have been published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change as part of a strategic environmental assessment into its plans to offer licenses for onshore oil and gas extraction later this year. The Government announcement also contained details of a voluntary industry initiative to offer communities up to £100,000 where shale gas drilling takes place.